Fabio Silva ripped apart for what he did in Rangers loss v Celtic at Parkhead
BBC pundit Billy Dodds has criticised Fabio Silva for his “terrible” off-the-ball defending as Rangers were beaten by Celtic in the Old Firm derby.
Silva switched off and allowed Alistair Johnston to run off him, leading to a Celtic chance that forced Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland to make a save.
And while Dodds credited the Wolves loanee’s work in attack, he felt the 21-year-old was extremely poor defensively.
Speaking live on BBC Sportsound [11 May], he said: “Celtic moved it brilliantly, they really did. But I’m watching Silva, who has been good offensively up to this point, but defensively he’s been terrible – he just lets Johnston go.”
Fabio Silva found wanting defensively for Rangers against Celtic
Silva’s first-half performance in Rangers’ Old Firm derby defeat at Celtic Park certainly lacked the grit and determination required from all players out of possession – even attacking ones.
The 21-year-old did not make a single tackle in the first 45 minutes, recording just two defensive actions and only three recoveries. Additionally, he lost all four of his ground duels, according to FotMob.
Particuarly in light of the stakes – the Gers needed to win at Parkhead to have any realistic chance of beating Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title – Silva’s lack of focus and concentration was inexcusable and could have been costly.
He was not the only player who failed to produce a performance of sufficient quality – senior midfielder John Lundstram, nine years older than Silva, scored an own goal and got sent off before the half-time whistle – but the Portuguese forward was part of a collectively inadequate team performance.
In other Rangers news, a star player may now never be seen at Ibrox after a ground-breaking update has emerged about him recently.
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